A Cautionary Tale
A Cautionary Tale
I have never had a problem with rust on straight razors, as we only have two humid weeks each year in Nova Scotia, and I am fairly obsessional about drying a razor after use. But disaster struck my seven day set of Zowada damascus razors recently, which live in a padded box with a slot for each. Five of them simultaneously developed little black pits along the edge, and one even had some along the shoulder of the spine. It seems I put one away as usual with a dribble of lather that had run in between the scales, a place where I failed to see it and dry it off before putting it away. I found the dried evidence when I started to correct the problem this evening, and felt sure that this was the cause as this razor was the worst affected and also was the one with pits along the shoulder of the spine. All five went to have the pits removed by approximately 100 strokes on a DMT1600, followed by 60 strokes on a Spyderco Fine, 200 on a Chinese 12k, then 100 on a Spyderco UltraFine. Each then has 50 strokes on Flexcut Gold, 50 on Liquid chrome on a hanging strop, 50 on the same on a bench hone, 50 on linen and 50 on latigo. I took the opportunity to freshen up two other razors that just needed the last few stages. 3,650 strokes in all, which took about two and a half hours. That will teach me to look between the scales as well in future! They'll likely need some fine tuning as well when I have shaved with each.
I suspect I shall stick to the stainless damascus Livis until the humidity is gone and then wallow in the glory of the Zowadas again. I'm so relieved to have them all looking pretty and sharp again, not only because of the investment in them, but I suspect Tim would come after me with a cluebat if I ruined so many of his gorgeous razors in one go!
Chris
Big right arm, scrawny left one
I suspect I shall stick to the stainless damascus Livis until the humidity is gone and then wallow in the glory of the Zowadas again. I'm so relieved to have them all looking pretty and sharp again, not only because of the investment in them, but I suspect Tim would come after me with a cluebat if I ruined so many of his gorgeous razors in one go!
Chris
Big right arm, scrawny left one
"Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse."
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
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Howdy,
I hate it when that happens!
I dry and oil them after every use. The edge on all carbon razors will corrode a little without oiling. You just might need a microscope to see it. I use the Classic Brand Razor Oil (shameless plug).
Light staining, or even rust, on the Damascus patterned section can be cleaned up by lightly sanding with 2000 grit Silicon Carbide sand paper
Chris, if you look on my web site, you'll see I offer lifetime maintenance on my knives and razors, for the original owner. If you want to go through the hassle with US and Canadian customs, I'd be happy to clean them up for you.
Tim Z.
I hate it when that happens!
I dry and oil them after every use. The edge on all carbon razors will corrode a little without oiling. You just might need a microscope to see it. I use the Classic Brand Razor Oil (shameless plug).
Light staining, or even rust, on the Damascus patterned section can be cleaned up by lightly sanding with 2000 grit Silicon Carbide sand paper
Chris, if you look on my web site, you'll see I offer lifetime maintenance on my knives and razors, for the original owner. If you want to go through the hassle with US and Canadian customs, I'd be happy to clean them up for you.
Tim Z.
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- Joined: Thu Nov 01, 2007 4:41 pm
- Location: Northern Michigan
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They all come off with stropping. So, oiling the blade is a daily ritual. I apply it with my fingertips, running along, and away from, the edge. Before the next use, I wipe the oil off the back of the blade with T. paper. I use my finger tips to wipe the oil off the edge. I don't like anything made with cellulose and lignin touching the edge of my razors.
For long term storage, I have always preferred RIG Gun Grease. It isn't too thick and doesn't evaporate.
I hope this helps.
Tim Z.
For long term storage, I have always preferred RIG Gun Grease. It isn't too thick and doesn't evaporate.
I hope this helps.
Tim Z.
I use Hoppe's lubricating oil, recommended for firearms, after the shave. I bought it from a gun shop, upon their recommendation. So far, so good!
Gary
SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
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